Dong Khanh Mausoleum Hue – Admire the Fusion of Asian and European Beauty

Dong Khanh Mausoleum Hue – Admire the Fusion of Asian and European Beauty

With a strong blend of Asian and European architecture, the Dong Khanh Mausoleum has long been recognized by UNESCO as a prominent cultural heritage site in the world. It is also a favorite destination for many international tourists.

Introduction to Dong Khanh Mausoleum Hue.

Dong Khanh Mausoleum has witnessed the ups and downs of four generations of Nguyen dynasty kings and has been standing for 35 years.

Where is Dong Khanh Mausoleum located?

Dong Khanh Mausoleum, also known as Tu Lang, is said to be the burial site of the 9th king of the Nguyen dynasty according to historical records. Similar to the Khai Dinh Mausoleum and An Dinh Palace, Dong Khanh Mausoleum has become one of the tourist attractions when visiting the ancient capital.

Tomb of King Dong Khanh

The mausoleum is located in Thuy Xuan Village, Thanh Pho Hue. It was recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 1993.

To reach the mausoleum, tourists only need to follow the direction of Bui Thi Xuan Street, then turn onto Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street. From there, visitors will be able to see the Tu Duc Mausoleum. After that, you just need to walk about 100 meters and look to the left. There, you will see a sign directing you to the tomb of King Dong Khanh.

Origin and Historical Background of Dong Khanh’s Tomb.

Previously, King Dong Khanh’s birth name was Nguyen Phuc Ung Thi. He ascended to the throne and took the name Nguyen Phuc Bien. He was the 9th emperor under the Nguyen dynasty. He died at the age of 25 without having the opportunity to build his own tomb. Therefore, when King Thanh Thai ascended the throne, he used the unfinished palace as a place of worship for his father, Dong Khanh.

The time to repair and build the mausoleum lasted more than 30 years

However, history also reveals that the majority of the architectural structures in the current Dong Khanh’s tomb were built during the reign of King Khai Dinh. After being on the throne for 3 months, King Khai Dinh assigned the Ministry of Public Works to renovate the tomb. The Ministry repaired the main hall, two rows of literary and martial statues, court officials, elephants, and horses, and built a fence around the tomb. They also carried out other constructions such as the stone tablet made of Thanh stone and the Ngung Hy Palace.

The construction and renovation of Dong Khanh’s tomb lasted for 35 years and went through the reigns of 4 different kings.

If you’re eager to explore Dong Khanh’s tomb, there’s no need to worry. We specialize in providing transportation services for tourism in Hue. With our private car rental service with a driver in Hue, you can quickly reach Dong Khanh’s tomb. Our drivers will pick you up from your hotel, airport, train station, or any other location to take you to Dong Khanh’s tomb and any other destinations you desire.

Best Time to Visit Dong Khanh’s Tomb.

If you’re planning to travel to Hue independently and visit Dong Khanh’s tomb, the best time is from January to April. During this period, the weather in Central Vietnam is pleasant, with no rain. Furthermore, the weather is sunny without being too hot. Therefore, this is the ideal time for you to combine visiting the ancient capital and Dong Khanh’s tomb.

There are many beautiful check-in corners in the mausoleum for you to feel free to pose

Currently, the ticket price for adults to enter Dong Khanh’s tomb is 100,000 VND per person. For children between the ages of 7 and 12, the entrance fee is waived. The tomb is open to visitors from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily.

Exploring the harmonious ancient architecture of Dong Khanh’s Tomb.

After years of construction and renovation, Dong Khanh’s tomb no longer purely embodies traditional architectural art. Instead, the tomb’s architecture incorporates various new and exotic elements, blending with Western cultural values.

The Royal Palace Area.

The Royal Palace area is designed with a Feng Shui layout, facing southeast. It features a strong sense of ancient architectural style. The main palace and the surrounding auxiliary buildings are magnificent. They are adorned with layers of ancient gold plating, exuding a unique charm.

The main hall of the mausoleum is unique with small architectures

 

The materials used are mainly stone and wood

 

Tile roofs with patterns were built according to the old architectural design

 

The columns in the mausoleum are sturdy, with unique patterns engraved

In front of the Royal Palace area, there is a semi-circular moat. This area was originally designed as a procession path. During the reign of Thien An, it was used as a preliminary court.

Upon stepping foot here, visitors will be amazed by the beauty of the Trung Hy Palace. The palace is highly regarded for its artistic value, as it houses many ancient art pieces painted with gold plating. These artworks are carefully preserved within the palace.

Visitors can also admire the structure of the Tam characters in the repetitive architectural style. The stained glass windows exhibit various vibrant colors, and there are two ancient paintings vividly depicting the battles between France and Napoleon. This captivates tourists, prompting them to pause, admire, and capture beautiful memories.

Within the Royal Palace area, you will also find modern artifacts such as perfume bottles and watches, all neatly and beautifully displayed in the tomb.

The Tomb Area.

This area of Dong Khanh’s tomb is designed with utmost uniqueness and sophistication. The tomb is oriented towards the East and Southeast. The architects took the Thien Thai Mountain as a precedent, and this is one of the reasons why the king’s tomb possesses its current mysterious beauty.

The stele house and tomb of King Dong Khanh

The ceremonial area maintains a traditional style, while the tomb area has been completely transformed by the architects. The decorative lines, architecture, and chosen materials for the tomb all exude an ancient aura. Here, it is not difficult to come across images such as tall and slender guardian statues, ardoise tiles, and even red bricks.

Tips for visiting the tomb of King Dong Khanh in Hue.

Here are some tips for visitors to the tomb of King Dong Khanh that you should keep in mind:

  • Pay attention to the steps while exploring Dong Khanh’s tomb. Moving around can be tiring, so be mindful and take extra care for your safety!
  • The tomb is known as one of the beautiful check-in spots in Hue. There are plenty of picturesque corners, so pay attention and take inspiration to capture the best photos!
  • It’s recommended to learn about the life of King Dong Khanh before visiting the architecture and exploring the tomb.
  • Adjusting the brightness of your camera before taking photos will help you capture amazing shots.

It is believed that with the information provided above, you have gained an understanding of Dong Khanh’s tomb in Hue. In the future, if you have the opportunity, don’t forget to visit this prominent architectural site! If you wish to combine a tour from Da Nang to Hue, don’t hesitate to contact us!

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